The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-24
The News at the Capitol.

Shortly before 2 o'clock news reach the Capitol
that the decision would be handed down within
a short time, and few had clews as to the eff
fects and merits of the various opinions, for it
was understood that each Judge had given sep
arate opinion on one or more phases of the case
The general result was somewhat well known
before the opinions could be had The Demo
Gratis were not talkative, nor did the Republic
ans express themselves other than moderately
upon the possible result. Those who are sup
posed to be close to Senator Smith did not COM
NIT themselves to any extravagant assertions,
as has been their custom. 1t was more OF an ac-
ceptance in silence rather than a criticism
or question of the result In
the meantime the TWO houses had resumed their
ordinary proceedings in the announcement made
by Speaker Sayre to the Representatives. He
said he gave it to them as piece of information
that the Supreme Court had reversed the decis-
ion of the court below in regard to Lieutenant
governor Robertson. It was received as an or
binary bit of news, but in the Senate not word
in reference to it was uttered, except when it
might have been done privately by Senators and
visitors. Yet those unmistakabIe trifes that
often presage excitement seem to prevail
gathering force for the denouement that every
body knew would come sooner or later Re-
publican leaders met, apparently. as in
the ordinary way OF meeting, talked
separated and met again. Leading Representa-
tives and Senators dropped for time their
business and naturally drifted to formal con-
sultation. OF this the Democrats became early
aware, but they made no apparent effort to shape
IN co;z =
as we'll as willingness to leave the policy of
action to the wishes Of Senator Smith.
While the Senate was engaged in the purity
of election bill, which was nearing it's passage.
Senator DeMotte and the occupant of the chair
had a close talk of some minutes The latter
had been shown for the first time the certificate
of the clerk of the Supreme Court to the effect
that the Supreme Court had reversed
the decision of the Marion County
Circuit Court, and holding that it
had no juris diction. The conversation
Senator DeMotte had with Senator Smith did
not appear to be satisfactory. for the former left
the Senate chamber, while Senators Fowler,
Bailey and Trippett were called by Senator
Smith to his chair, either in turn or together
In the cloak room were gathered Democratic
pOntlClanS, SET OH Dy Senator or CWO and Tor
| the first time the perilous ground upon which
| their presiding officer stood seemed to be real
| lied. By some unfathomable means orders
reached the Door keeper to be circumspect as te
| who wero admitted The rule was being so rig
| idly enforced that Representatives Jewett and
Kercheval had distractions thrown in thei,
way They claimed their rights AS msm
| bers Of the other House. but to TO purpose
and all the time they were pushing hard agains
| the two stalwart door keepers. Once the fou
| were dangerously near physical struggle 20
the mastery. while uncomplimeutary criticisms
| were passed upon the determined guardians o
the Senate's precincts. The chief Door keeper
| Captain Pritchett came and quietly settled th
whose moods were by no means temperate
| Representative Kercheva once on the inside
said to his Democratic colleague, Jewett "Fo
the first time, Charles, you and agree, and tha
! is in damning the Door-keeper"
It was not long before this that Cas- Byfeld
one of Senator Smiths attorneys, came and whls
pered something to him, perhaps a lawyers view
| OF the decision, and lawyers advice as to th
situation Republican Senators, particularly
Huston, Winter and DeMotte, were on the othe
side of the Capitol talking in the Speakers room
| with Lieutenant governor Robertson and Repub
lican advisers. The Senate chamber began t.
fill with spectators, a part Of whom were ladies
only those noting events detected tn
antagonistic ideas that were coming nearc